The Affordable Care Act Health Care Information Session

State Representative Jeff Irwin

                                                         invites you to attend a:

Health Care Information Session

The Affordable Care Act, Medicaid expansion, the Healthcare Marketplace,
and what it all means for your health coverage

                                                     

  Monday, Sept. 30 • 6 p.m.
Malletts Creek Library
3090 E. Eisenhower Parkway • Ann Arbor

Get answers to your questions and learn how to sign up for health insurance.

For more information, contact:
State Representative Jeff Irwin
Office: (517) 373-2577 • Email: jeffirwin@house.mi.gov
www.irwin.housedems.com
Presentations by:
Marianne Udow-Phillips - Director of the Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation (CHRT)
Ellen Rabinowitz - Executive Director of the Washtenaw Health Plan 

Open Enrollment in the Health Care Marketplace Begins Oct. 1, 2013

In 2014, people are required to have health insurance.
If you are on Medicare, Medicaid, or have health insurance through an employer, you are already covered.
If you are not, get ready to use the Health Insurance Marketplace to find a policy that’s right for you.
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a new federally operated insurance marketplace, also called an exchange, where individuals and small businesses will be able to shop for and compare health coverage.
Beginning on Oct. 1, you can go to the Health Insurance Marketplace to shop and compare health insurance policies at www.healthcare.gov.
If you prefer not to use the website, you can receive a paper application and consumer assistance through the Health Insurance Marketplace Call Center at (800) 318-2596.
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) can answer your health insurance questions. Visit their Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program (HICAP) at www.michigan.gov/hicap, e-mail your questions to DIFS-HICAP@michigan.gov or call them at (877) 999-6442.
Important Dates:
Oct. 1, 2013: Open enrollment for coverage in 2014 is Oct. 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. If you want coverage to begin on Jan. 1, 2014, you must enroll in a health insurance plan by Dec. 15, 2013.
Jan. 1, 2014: In 2014 and beyond, the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) will require that people have health insurance. If you currently have coverage from Medicare, Medicaid or an employer, you are covered.
Starting in 2014:
• Federal tax credits to help with the cost of health care coverage will be available for anyone with income between 100 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level, and who is not eligible for other affordable coverage. In Michigan, that’s about $45,960 for an individual, or $94,200 for a family of four.
• People who earn less than 133 percent of the federal poverty level will be eligible to enroll in Medicaid for their health care coverage. In Michigan, that’s about $15,280 for an individual, or $31,322 for a family of four.
• Beginning in 2014, no plan can deny you coverage, or charge you more, because of a pre-existing medical condition.
How the ACA already helps
with your health care coverage
In 2010:
• Children under age 19 cannot be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition.
• No more lifetime limits on insurance coverage.
• Young adults under age 26 can stay
on their parents’ plan.
• All new plans must cover certain preventive services, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, without charging a deductible, co-pay or coinsurance.
In 2011:
• Drug discounts for seniors who reach the coverage gap in Medicare Part D.
• Expanded Medicare benefits for seniors such as free preventive benefits, annual wellness visits and cancer screenings.
In 2012:
• New preventive health care services for women such as breast cancer screenings.
• Consumers have a right to receive an
easy-to-understand summary about a health care plan’s benefits and coverage.
In 2013:
• Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace begins.

Useful Contacts:

Affordable Care Act/                            Michigan Department of Insurance                 
www.healthcare.gov                              and Financial Service, Health and
(800) 318-2596                                    Consumer Assistance Program:
                                                             www.michigan.gov/HICAP
                                                             (877) 999-6442

Michigan Department of
Human Services:
www.michigan.gov/dhs
(855) 275-6424                                    Michigan Department of
                                                             Community Health:
                                                             www.michigan.gov/mdch
                                                              (517) 373-3740
U.S. Senator Carl Levin:
www.levin.senate.gov
(313) 226-6020
                                                            U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow:
                                                            www.stabenow.senate.gov
                                                            (313) 961-4330

Update on Activities at the Willow Run RACER Trust site‏

RACER, along with their contractor The Environmental Quality Co. (EQ) and consultant Conestoga Rovers and Associates, Inc.. (CRA) began implementing approved remediation activities in September 2013 at the CVO Site (2901 Tyler Road, Ypsilanti, MI).  This remediation project was discussed in the public meeting held on June 18, 2013 and with the West Willow Neighborhood association on July 15, 2013.  The remediation activities will include soil mixing, excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soils.   During the soil mixing,  chemicals will be added to the soils to breakdown the target compounds (volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) to more innocuous compounds to allow for off-site transportation and disposal as non-hazardous waste.

Soils impacted by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) will be excavated, transported and disposed of at Wayne Disposal Inc. located in Belleville, MI.  Perimeter air monitoring will be completed during all remediation activities and engineering and/or dust control measures will be applied as needed to meet air monitoring criteria for this project.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have reviewed and approved the remediation work plan for this project.  As discussed at the West Willow Neighborhood association meeting, biweekly updates will be provided to include but not limited to project activities completed and corresponding perimeter air monitoring results.  

In Summary, the remediation will begin this month with a forecast that all intrusive and excavation activities to be complete by mid December 2013. Please direct all questions and concerns to RACER Trust toll free at 1-855-722-3741

TUTORING PROGRAM KICK-OFF Sept. 15th

The NEW COVENANT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH invites you all to their tutoring program kick-off for grades 4th - 12th.

Sunday September 15, 2013

4pm at 

New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church

2345 Tyler Rd., Ypsilanti

contact person: Mitch Heard Jr. at (734) 845-9654

or via email: MHEARD23@GMAIL.COM

 

1st Annual FREE Medical Screening and Testing Sept.21st

FREE Screening, FREE Testing, FREE physicians Advice, FREE BUS RIDE from the CRC  (2057 Tyler Rd.). Event starts at 9a.m and ends at 1pm..

September 21, 2013

Bus departs at 9:30 am and 11:30 am

to

Emmanuel Lutheran Church - 201 N. River St. , Ypsilanti 

For more information the flyer is posted in the window at the CRC. Contact - (855) 776-8424 or visit www.michigan.universalhealthaid.org. 

FROM: RACER TRUST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 5, 2013

Connected Vehicle Research Center

Planned on Site of Former

Willow Run Powertrain Plant

High-Tech Development Expected to be a Catalyst for the Region

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, MI — The former Willow Run Powertrain plant, long a source of economic strength in Southeast Michigan, is the proposed home for a technologically advanced connected vehicle research center, a project that could become a hub of research and development for the vehicles of tomorrow and a catalyst for jobs in innovative automotive research. The announcement was made today by the RACER Trust, Devon Industrial Group and Walbridge Development, LLC.

The project will evolve in two simultaneous phases, both led by Detroit companies. Devon Industrial Group, a minority-owned business, will manage the dismantling and removal of the industrial buildings on the property, supervising the activities of MCM Management of Bloomfield Hills, MI. Walbridge Development, LLC, an affiliate of the Walbridge Group, Inc., one of America’s largest privately held construction companies, would redevelop the property into a shared R&D center and test track for connected vehicles. This facility would jointly serve automakers, suppliers and related technology companies and would be the first of its kind. 

RACER has marketed the Willow Run property for sale and redevelopment since taking ownership in 2011. It sought competitive proposals for dismantling and removal of the buildings on the property, as well as alternative redevelopment proposals, in order to maximize the property’s substantial redevelopment potential. Devon Industrial Group and Walbridge submitted a joint proposal that included demolition and their vision for redevelopment.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Ypsilanti Township, the surrounding community and all of Southeast Michigan,” Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo said. “I believe this will usher in an era of collaboration and cooperation between the public and private sectors. This development will bring high-tech R&D, excellent jobs, a stronger tax base and be a source of great pride for our region.”

Elliott P. Laws, administrative trustee of the RACER Trust, said: “Finding a buyer and new use for Willow Run has been one of RACER’s highest priorities. This project fits perfectly with Southeast Michigan’s long-standing leadership in automotive innovation. I congratulate and thank Devon Industrial Group and Walbridge for their vision and spirit, and for their part in shaping what will be a very dynamic future for this region.”

The contracts will not impede Yankee Air Museum’s campaign to purchase and separate a portion of the Willow Run Powertrain plant to serve as a permanent home for the museum and its collections.

Dismantling and removal activities are expected to begin this fall and take approximately 12 months to complete. At that point, Walbridge would buy the majority of the 332-acre property and begin redevelopment, subject to a development agreement with Ypsilanti Township. The development agreement would define the scope of the proposed connected vehicle research center and the number of jobs Walbridge would commit to attract as a result.

“Since 1916, Walbridge has played major a role in the history of the auto industry by building some of its most critical manufacturing, assembly and R&D facilities. But more importantly, we want to help build its future. The Willow Run property is ideal for the type of development we envision, one that leverages the region’s assets — both talent and technology,” said John Rakolta III, Business Development Director for Walbridge. “We believe in this project’s success, and we’re committed to helping attract businesses and tenants whose R&D interests align with the goals of our planned facility — to develop and refine vehicle technology that will make our roads safer and keep Michigan at the forefront of automotive innovation.”

Paul Krutko, president and CEO of the economic development organization Ann Arbor SPARK, said: “SPARK’s role as the regional economic development organization is to look for opportunities big and small to build prosperity. We identified automotive technology as a key area of potential and earlier this year drafted a white paper, Ahead By A Century — A Proposal to Develop A World Class Test Facility for Intelligent Transportation Systems and Autonomous Vehicles in Southeast Michigan, based on our findings. Working initially with Walbridge, RACER Trust and Ypsilanti Township, and longer term with other private- and public-sector partners, Ann Arbor SPARK is creating this new economic opportunity for the region that has the potential to generate significant investment and jobs.”

“We’re looking forward to the challenge of dismantling and removing such a large building in 12 months, but we share RACER’s and Walbridge’s urgency to get started on redevelopment and job creation, and that begins with our team’s performance,” said David Burnley Sr., CEO of Devon Industrial Group.

In a separate development, RACER is engaged in a land swap with the Wayne County Airport Authority, giving Willow Run Airport control of land it needed to better utilize an existing east-west runway without physically extending the runway. This land swap supports the airport authority’s long-term business development efforts. Full runway utilization had been constrained by the previous property boundary between the airport and RACER’s land.

“This exciting new project and the land swap are both indicative of RACER’s commitment to economic revitalization, not just for Willow Run but for all of Southeast Michigan,” said Tim Keyes, CEO of VantagePort, a regional economic development consortium focused on driving expansion and new investment in and around Detroit Metro and Willow Run Airport. “Our region will reap the benefits of this land swap almost immediately, enabling more efficient movement of people and products through Willow Run.”

RACER previously announced the sale of an adjacent building, the former Willow Run Company Vehicle Operations facility, to International Turbine Industries, a jet engine repair and parts sales business.

About the RACER Trust: The RACER (Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response) Trust was created to clean up and position for redevelopment properties and other facilities owned by the former General Motors Corp. before its 2009 bankruptcy.

RACER is one of the largest holders of industrial property in the United States and is the largest environmental response and remediation trust in U.S. history. When the Trust was formed, it owned properties at 89 locations in 14 states, principally in the Midwest and Northeast. The Trust, which is independent, was created by a settlement agreement in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court between the U.S. Government, the 14 states where the former GM properties are located, and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, which owns land adjoining one of the properties in Upstate New York. For more information, please visit our website: www.racertrust.org.

About Walbridge: Walbridge was founded in 1916 in Detroit and has grown to become one of America’s largest privately owned construction companies. The company has expertise in many market segments, including: airports, automotive, commercial, education, government, healthcare, industrial process, manufacturing, and water/wastewater. Walbridge is an industry pace-setter in the development of new ideas and methods for quality construction, site safety, enhancing sustainability, lowering cost and maximizing long-term project value. For more information, please visit: www.walbridge.com.

About Devon Industrial Group: Devon Industrial Group provides construction management, general contracting, pre-construction, decommissioning and facility management services for clients in the automotive, healthcare, industrial process and education fields. The firm was recognized in 2013 by the Associated General Contractors of Michigan with an Outstanding Safety Performance award earned for a low injury incident rate based on total amount of work hours generated in 2012. For more information, please visit: www.devonindustrial.com

About MCM Management Corp: MCM Management Corp. (MCM) is a vertically integrated industrial services provider that specializes in repurposing America’s largest industrial and manufacturing facilities for redevelopment. MCM has performed more than 100 million square feet of environmental remediation, asbestos abatement, demolition and recycling services since 1993. For more information, please visit: www.mcmmanagement.com

About Ann Arbor SPARK: Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is advancing the region by encouraging and supporting business acceleration, attraction and retention. The organization identifies and meets the needs of business at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County, Livingston County, Washtenaw County etcs/Michigan Works!, the City of Ann Arbor, Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.

"TELLING IT" IS UP AND MEETING AGAIN

Once again the TELLING IT  program is being offered at the CRC located at 2057 Tyler Rd.. It begins Sept.26th and the fall program will be held every Thursday from 3:45 - 5:45pm. The program reaches out to youth ages 11-15. It  focuses on the many ways to express and communicate to others. It's a fun time connecting with your feelings through rap and other music, writing, fun games, topic discussions and crafts. The  discussions are  about everyday life and how to deal with them in a thought out positive way. The program is ran by  Deb Gordon-Gurfinkel, a professor at UM and her students. So come on out and checking it out. It might be just what you need and the atmosphere you need to TELL IT like is really is!!  You don't need to come alone, bring a friend and be prepared to have a lot of fun! Refreshments are served every week before the program begins. Contact Deb for more information at 649-3118 or Linda at 483-8195.